Overview
20 Days Best of Uganda Safari is one of the best adventure experiences on an Uganda safari blended with a lot of adventure and relaxation. These 20 Days (20 Days Best of Uganda Safari) cover all the main attractions of Uganda in all the country regions including the Western, Southern Western, Northern, Eastern region and central regions. Within 20 days, you are able you know the whole of Uganda by simply visiting its main tourist attractions. The trip features Bwindi Impenetrable national park – home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the whole world, lake Bunyonyi the second deepest lake in Africa, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Queen Elizabeth national park – home to the tree climbing lions, Kibale national park – home to the chimpanzees and other 12 primates, Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park and famous for the great Murchison falls the strongest falls in the world, Uganda’s renowned wildlife park and Jinja town which was the former industrial town of Uganda, and still the home of the Source of River Nile with a variety of water activities to do. Other experiences to enjoy while on this trip are boat cruising giving you an endless encounters with birds and animals, nature walks, and community encounters.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be met by your driver guide, who will transfer you to your hotel for dinner and overnight at Gorilla African Guest House.
After the early morning breakfast transfer to Jinja town reach well on time for lunch, and later connect to visit the source of the Nile. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Paradise on the Nile.
You will have an early morning breakfast at your hotel and head out for white water rafting along the river Nile. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Paradise.
You will have an early morning breakfast and be driven to the Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way you will visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will have a guided nature walk to track rhinos which is a very rewarding experience. After rhino tracking we will have lunch and proceed to Murchison Falls National Park you will have dinner and an overnight stay at Red Chilli Rest Camp.
In the morning you will have breakfast before going for the game drive to the park’s north area to see the big five including buffaloes, lions, elephants, and if fortunate leopards. Other animals you will see include Rothschild's giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs etc. Return to the lodge for lunch, and later in the evening go for the thrilling boat cruise down the Nile .You will sail close to the bottom of the falls and on this cruise you will see various birds, numerous hippos, and giant crocodiles, plus some other animals grazing to the banks of the river. Then you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.
After an early morning breakfast we drive to Fort Portal tourism city near Kibale Forest National Park. During the journey the road gives us a chance to observe Great Rift Valley, get a glimpse of the Blue Mountains of Congo on a clear day and stop over to see the tea plantations. We'll arrive in time for lunch at Gardens Restaurant then later visit the Amabere caves to see the waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites and nearby crater lakes.
Dinner and overnight at Home Bliss Hotel - Fort portal.
After an early morning breakfast your driver guide will transfer you to the rain forest. You will then be briefed by your ranger guide who will lead you on the trek in search of this great ape. After chimpanzee trekking you will have lunch and proceed to Rwenzori National Park. We will check-in our accommodation and prepare for the hike up in the Rwenzori. Dinner and overnight at Rwenzori Base Camp.
Have breakfast and then drive to Nyakalengija trailhead which is at a height of 1648 meters at the park headquarters where you will meet your guides and porters for a briefing about the hike. The hike usually starts at 8:00 am through the foothills of the mountain, following the River Mubuku through the bamboo forest, rock and bluffs. Cross the Mahoma River and climb steeply through break fern slopes and Podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba hut which is about 2651 metres high were we will overnight. Expect to see some primates including the blue monkeys, colobus monkeys and Rwenzori turaco.
From the Nyabitaba hut, after taking a hot cup of tea, follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers passing through bamboo forest, transverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock for some hours and proceed to Nyamileju rock shelter where you will have sights of Mt Stanley and Mt Speke into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. You will reach John Matte hut after passing through the tiring bog. Dinner and overnight at the John Matte hut while here you will enjoy the views of Margherita glaciers.
On this day of the hike wake up early with a cup of tea at the hut site ready to cross to Bujuku River to the upper Bigo bog which gives the real experience of jumping and crossing the Bujuku lake. Have a lunch break at a beautiful narrow stream with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the west Mt Speke to the north. Retire from the hike at Bujuku hut for dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, leave Bujuku hut and connect to the newer trail that raises and falls twice before climbing the steep west of the lake, passing through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot pass at 4372m while at the steepest section. There is a short ladder that leads to Elena hut at 4430metres. You will continue a few steps below the pass to a sheltered spot for a good break before the Elena Hut and Mt Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders. This is a base camp to climb to Margherita Peak and requires an extra day. The left pass leads to Scott-Elliot pass down to Kitandara hut.
Continue to the base of Mount Stanley Glacier to reach the Margherita peak of 5109 meters. This hike will take 4 to 7 hours to the summit of Margherita depending on the weather conditions and the climbing pace. This is a tough walk taking you to over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas an it is only for the physically fit as is a technical climb which requires roping up, crampons and appropriate equipment for cold, windy and icy conditions. It is best to attempt the final climb in a minimum group of 2 to 4 climbers and two guides. Continue on the glaciers across the Stanley Plateau and proceed with ascent.
From Kitandara hut the trail ascends steeply up the headwall spreading out from the base of Mt Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain. Fresh fields pass through the long muddy descent and pass the rock shelter at Bujangola which was the base camp for historic expeditions by Duke Abruzzi in 1906. At this level you will view the Congo to the west and Mt Stanley to the north. Overnight at the hut.
After breakfast continue to descend the mountain. The trail down can be slippery and muddy. Have lunch at Nyabitaba then proceed to Nyakalengija for about 3 hours. Nyabitaba starts the 40 minutes trail to see Lake Mahoma and back to the hut. We then descend to the park headquarters where you will meet your guides who will transfer you to Queen Elizabeth National Park for dinner and overnight at Simba safari camp.
After a very early morning breakfast you will enjoy an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector and be able to spot various animals like elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob, lion, and leopard (on a lucky day) among others. Return to the lodge for lunch then head out for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel where you will spot various animals including hippos, crocodile and elephant. The cruise will also enrich you with various birds along the sand banks. Dinner and overnight
at Simba safari camp.
After breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenatrable Forest through Ishasha - the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park for your morning game drive. Ishasha is famous for tree-climbing lions and chances of seeing them depend on your luck on the day. We will have lunch and head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi view lodge.
Have breakfast and get ready for the big highlight of this safari. Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest is the home of the giants, the mountain gorillas and on this day you get to meet them. You will set off into the forest with a specialized guide and trek through beautiful nature and finally, get to spend one hour in the area where mountain gorillas are. Besides gorillas, this impenetrable forest is full of birds, butterflies and plant species. Later proceed to Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at Crater bay cottages.
You will wake up to amazing scenery, beautiful sunrise birds and a breathtaking view of the lake. You man ask for your breakfast to be served outside so that you can enjoy the lake views. Lake Bunyonyi is a major tourist destinations in Uganda simply because of the scenery, the various islands and simple relaxation on the lake shores.
Dinner and overnight at Crater bay cottages / Eco Resort.
Enjoy your breakfast in your own time on day 19 of the 20 Day Uganda Safari. Check out of the lodge and embark on the road drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park which is about 4 hours drive. You will enjoy your lunch at Ingongo cultural centre, then proceed to the park and check-in at your hotel. After enjoying an evening game drive to encounter some wildlife species in the park including zebras, impalas etc you will have dinner and overnight at Eagles Rest Camp
After your morning breakfast, transfer to Kampala with en-route lunch. If time permits you can choose to visit the Uganda Museum, Kasubi Royal Tombs or Uganda Martyrs Namugongo, After the Kampala city tour you will later proceed to Entebbe Airport for your flight back home.
